The Somerset Space Walk - The Sun

The Somerset Space Walk centres on a massive model of the Sun - a proper statement piece that immediately makes you grasp just how enormous our nearest star actually is. It's part of a larger scale model of the solar system spread across the Somerset Levels, with each planet positioned at distances that represent their actual spacing from the Sun. Walking between them gives you a genuine sense of the vast emptiness of space in a way no classroom ever could.

This works brilliantly for families with curious kids aged 8 and up. Younger ones might lose interest between planets, but teenagers and adults often find themselves genuinely struck by the sheer scale of it all. It's free, which helps, and you can do it at your own pace - some people spend an hour, others just visit the Sun model and one or two planets nearby.

Timing matters here. Summer's obvious, but the Levels can be boggy after rain, so check conditions first. Spring and autumn are actually lovely - fewer families about, and the light's better for photos. Allow anything from 45 minutes to two hours depending on how many planets you're chasing down.

If you're camped at Thornhills Holiday Park or Secret Valley, this is barely a 20-minute drive away and makes a solid half-day excursion when the weather's cooperative. Pair it with a visit into Taunton itself for a proper change of scenery. The walk between models is genuinely educational without feeling forced about it.